Another day, another missed opportunity for Canada’s men’s soccer team to finally snap its unprecedented winless run.

Following a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria late last week, Canada drew Moldova by the same scoreline Tuesday in Mauer, Austria, extending its winless streak to 16 games dating back to a World Cup qualifying loss in Honduras two years ago.

“We were unfortunate not to win the game,” Canadian coach Benito Floro said. “We played well but it wasn’t a bad result but it wasn’t good.

“This is the end of the first stage so the players are happy.”

Although he remains winless since taking over for Stephen Hart, Floro insists the Canadians will target a semifinal appearance at the 2015 Gold Cup.

Currently ranking No. 110 in the FIFA World Rankings, Canada will use games against fellow CONCACAF teams later this year to prepare for the tournament, which will serve as qualifying for the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Canada hosts Jamaica in Toronto on Sept. 9 before travelling to Panama on Nov. 18.

Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s league tilt against the visiting New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC acquired Montreal Impact midfielder Collen Warner in exchange for Issey Nakajima-Farran.

With Bradley set to miss at least five MLS dates because of the World Cup, the Reds swapped a productive winger for a pressing need. Toronto FC, before Saturday, didn’t have a suitable option to sit in front of its back four.

Despite making the deal, Toronto FC still won’t have one Saturday. Warner will miss this weekend after receiving a red card in Montreal’s home loss to Kansas City last weekend.

Without Bradley — and his replacement — the Reds could struggle to fend off a high-flying New York attack that currently employs Thierry Henry alongside the league’s goal-scoring leader, Bradley Wright-Phillips.

It underlines just how important it was for the Reds to get off the mark with a decent start — something Bradley, who spoke with the Toronto Sun before leaving for U.S. national team camp, reiterated to me this week.

“I’m somebody who hates to miss games,” Bradley told me by phone. “As excited as I am to go represent my country and play in a World Cup, there is still a part of me that is disappointed and frustrated that it means I have to miss games with Toronto.

As for the on-field ramifications, Toronto FC swapped a useful wide player for an immediate need.

In return of Nakajima-Farran the Reds received holding midfielder Collen Warner, a player with close to 100 MLS appearances over five seasons that could provide balance to a TFC midfield that’s without Michael Bradley and Jeremy Hall.

Had TFC’s front office not pulled the trigger it would have been forced to use Kyle Bekker and Jonathan Osorio, both in their sophomore season.

Nakajima-Farran exits BMO field having scored two goals in five MLS matches. Both he and Warner are ineligible to compete in the Canadian Championship final later this month.

I asked U.S. national team linchpin Michael Bradley what he thought of Eddie Johnson being left off the U.S. roster yesterday. He told the Toronto Sun it doesn’t matter what he thinks:

“I think for any of us who have been part of the group over the last four years, when you get to this point there are going to be tough decisions. All over the world the reality is that tough decision have to be made when it comes to choosing a roster for the World Cup.

“I know how disappointed Eddie is. It doesn’t change what he’s all about. It doesn’t change what he has given our team during the last stretch. It’s just… At the end of the day, Jurgen felt like the way he was piecing his roster together that this was the best way to go.

“At the end of the day that’s the only person whose opinion really matters.”

And Toronto FC’s bench, despite going up 2-0 through Michael Bradley moments before, looked dejected knowing full well they’re in a much more difficult place heading into Wednesday night’s return leg.

Welcome to the Canadian Championship, a domestic Cup competition with a boat load of bizarre history regardless of its infancy.

The Miracle in Montreal (2009).

The Stomping at Saputo (2013).

The Monsoon in May (2011).

Jun Marques Davidson’s disgraceful dive in 2012.

This tournament has seen it all.

And with Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson intending to trot out another young lineup Wednesday night, the Reds should be pissed. After all, the Whitecaps, unlike Toronto, don’t have an MLS game at the weekend. There’s no reason for them not to play a near-first choice lineup containing the likes of Pedro Morales and Matias Laba — an XI that offers them the best chance at securing passage to the Canadian Cup final.

But in Robinson’s mind, they don’t need to. A 2-1 opening leg loss — away goals is the first tie-breaker — at BMO Field demonstrated that.

“I think it will be a mix,” Robinson said of his team sheet. “Obviously, we don’t have a big squad anyway so it’s probably going to be a youngish team again. It’s going to be a team that I think can go out and win that game.”

It’s easier to rest first-choice players when you’re surging up the MLS table. The Whitecaps are unbeaten over their past four MLS fixtures, which includes dates against L.A. and Salt Lake.

Because of that, Robinson can treat Wednesday differently. He can make his intentions known: If they lose, the Robinson-led Whitecaps will point to youth development. If Vancouver progresses, it’s merely an added bonus at TFC’s expense.

About Kurtis

Sun Media's leading soccer columnist, Larson has been following Major League Soccer since '96 and reports on the Canadian men's national team and Toronto FC. Follow him every week on Sun sites across Canada, Slam sports and in the Toronto Sun.

Sun Media's leading soccer columnist, Larson has been following Major League Soccer since '96 and reports on the Canadian men's national team and Toronto FC. Follow him every week on Sun sites across Canada, Slam sports and in the Toronto Sun.